Afraid of 2nd stroke.....

[losingit2]

I am approaching my one year mark of having a stroke due to vertebral artery dissection. I am becoming more and more apprehensive by the day.  It was January 10, 2006.  Does anyone know what the chances are of having more strokes due to dissection?  I have an appointment for another MRA and MRI on January 10, 2007 and cannot wait.  I am just so worried that I will have another stroke due to this.  I have been fine since my 6 month mark, artery healed fine, I am still taking Plavix though.  Am I being silly?

[C.F.]

you are doing the right thing.  I am 4 1/2yrs. post stroke.  My stroke was a bilateral carotid dissection...yes, lucky I am alive.  Be in close touch with your neuroligist and don't be afraid to call him/her if you feel like you have any symptoms.  I was in your position for about a year and a half with a newborn at home.  stay strong.

[losingit2]

Thank you and don't worry, I will be in close touch with my neurologist from now on!!  I will just be able to breathe a sigh of relief when I have the MRI and MRA on January 10th and everything is still fine!  I have to say that having a stroke is the single most terrifying moment of my life, one I do not care to revisit.

[Tressa999]

Don't just let your fear & stress build.  Why be miserable unnecessarily?  Besides staying in close touch with your neurologist (obviously a good idea), you should also find some kind of relaxation/stress reduction program that works for you.  You might try Emotional Freedom Technique (free instruction on the Web), some kind of meditation, or one of the large number of relaxation recordings available (I like Andrew Weil's "Sound Body, Sound Mind" and also the 2 CD's sold by Dr. Mercola.